Watch what you tweet: Bad reactions to latest Vanity Fair cover

Twitter can be a great medium to express yourself to a large audience, but it can also get you in trouble, if you aren’t careful with what you’re expressing.

Earlier this month, Vanity Fairreleased their July cover to the public. It showcases Caitlyn Jenner with the headline, “Call Me Caitlyn,” which created uplifting feelings in the transgender community. Twitter was filled with tweets in support of Jenner after the cover went viral, but there were also less supportive tweets that created public relations disasters for the posters.

Soon after the cover was released, the Associated Press tweeted an article about the Vanity Fair cover. Both the tweet and the article caused outrage on Twitter.

Bruce Jenner makes debut as a transgender woman in a va-va-voom cover for the July issue of Vanity Fair: http://t.co/YZ9m8Vg7go

The tweet angered readers because it referred to Jenner as “Bruce” rather than “Caitlyn.” The article that accompanied the tweet, stated that “Bruce Jenner made his debut as a transgender woman in a va-va-voom fashion in the July issue of Vanity Fair.”

Many were upset over the use of the name “Bruce” and that they used male pronouns when referencing Jenner, rather than her preferred female-gendered pronouns. If the Associated Press would have followed their own guidelines, they wouldn’t have made a mistake.

“Drake & Josh” actor, Drake Bell, also upset many over his tweet in response to the cover, which stated “Sorry….still calling you Bruce.” Many of Bell’s fans showed their distaste for the post through angry tweets directed at the actor. He has since deleted the tweet and made a public apology on Twitter.

I sincerely apologize for my thoughtless insensitive remarks. I in no way meant to hurt or demean those going through a similar journey.

“The People vs. Barack Obama” author, Ben Shapiro, responded to the cover, saying that Jenner isn’t a woman. The angry responses which resulted weren’t enough to get him to issue an apology or delete the tweet.

This anorexic girl is not fat. This man is not a woman. Celebrating mental illness hurts those who need help. pic.twitter.com/hFf4hCvPEV

Although there were some mixed responses to the Vanity Fair cover, a dialogue has been created that is generating more support for the transgender community.

How did you feel about the negative tweets in response to the Vanity Fair cover. Leave a comment or talk to me on Twitter @Karbowski_Devon.

About Devon Karbowski

Devon Karbowski graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2015. He received a BA in Writing Studies with an emphasis in Professional Writing and a minor in Philosophy. Currently, he is using his degree to pursue a career in freelance writing, proposal writing and social media management. The focal point of his MUI PR articles will involve public relations related topics.